Just tryin' ta find my place

Mutt? So that's what this guy wanted. He didn't plan on killing the guy, but he was going to scare him if he could. Unsheathing his sword, the Tetsusaiga flared to life. From a thin blade, to a massive sword, easily held in one hand over his shoulder. It was enough to strike fear in the heart of even great demons, let alone some... whatever the hell this guy was.

"Ya wanna call me that again?"

No movement was made. He'd let it linger. Inuyasha wanted answers, and he wasn't going to get it if he swung his sword around. It was for demon slaying. This person, his energy was the same. Something was wrong here, but now was a time to try listening. Kagome had listened to him, all that time ago. He'd listened to her. That was how love blossomed in the first place.

So when he felt it appropriate, as easily as it was drawn, his sword is back in its sheath.

A shrug. He was never angry to begin with. Startled. Confused. Maybe even a little afraid. But not angry. To show anger was an instinctive reaction Inuyasha was unlearning to this day. Maybe all that work was why he could calm himself down like this.

"So if this is the future, why do ya look like me, and why do ya have the same energy? Why the same name? 'Cause even with all I've done, ain't no one gonna remember the name of a hanyou. Maybe they named ya that as some kinda insult."

Maybe it became popular to name hanyous 'Inuyasha'. The half breed abomination that slayed Naraku. But more importantly, who wasn't able to slay him fast enough to save the life of the beloved priestess. The priestess he loved. The priestess who loved him.

"What a waste. Why anyone would even decide on havin' a kid like you is stupid. You're an adult, so it musta happened to you, too. Or didja have parents young enough ta keep everyone from tryin' ta kill ya? I sure as hell wouldn't have a kid. And even if I did, I sure as hell wouldn't have named him after me."

Eyes close in contemplation. They hadn't really talked about it. He didn't want any kids, not after what he'd gone through. Any kid of his would go through the same persecution. But... well. Maybe if Kagome had wanted a kid or two. Maybe they could have talked about it. She'd have understood his feelings, but he'd have done his best to understand hers.

Maybe if things had turned out differently...

If he'd had any doubts about this other Inuyasha's identity, the sight of the Tetsusaiga cleared them right up. That thing was a family heirloom and he'd been shown its true form a few years ago when he made fun of its appearance. His dad had taken him out into the middle of nowhere and showed him what that sword was capable of.

Now to be threatened with that very sword, he stiffened against the tree. He didn't have any illusions that the sword would refuse to bring him harm just because he was a distant family member. After all the animosity that this guy and his half brother had was also recorded in history. Mostly by that eras Kagome, but still.

"If you don't want ta be called a mutt, how about ya stop actin' rabid.." he couldn't help but mumble. One final act of rebellion and anger over how he was handled before.

Besides, the sword hadn't even been pointed at him. But.. Just the sight of that blade out and ready had been enough to put him on pause for a moment. And enough to have him releasing a heavy sigh of relief when it was put back in its sheath. Maybe he should keep from riling up this ancestor. But then.. He wasn't sure what would and wouldn't set him off. It seemed just speaking to him earlier had him being weird to begin with.

But then.. Maybe that's how hanyou did things back in then, he wasn't sure. But he seemed calm enough now and genuinely wanting answers. Even though basically being called stupid had his proverbial hackles rising again. This time he swallowed down the insult on the tip of his tongue. Kagome didn't need to come back from college only to find a dead boyfriend.

"Look, yer my ancestor, alright?" he finally revealed. "You and the Kagome of that time had babies. Those babies grew up and had babies and so on. All the way up to today."

Why did he sound so sad when talking about the name of what that Kagome wanting their baby to be named though? He didn't want to be a dad? Well clearly, he became one. The proof was literally standing across from him.

"I'm directly from you and that Kagome's lineage. And if ya think me sharin' yer name is weird wait till ya hear this part. My parents names are Toga and Izayoi and I have a half brother named, Sesshoumaru. My mate's name is also Kagome."

He didn't have very good diction for a royal, did he? And here she was under the assumption they didn't do that in Japan anymore. But only a royal would introduce themselves coupled with their lineage. What stuck out more, he actually expected her to introduce herself. Of course that was formality, but generally, it was the other who introduced themselves first. And his tone of voice.

She liked it. She liked all of it, in fact. He may have obliged, but it didn't change how he expected her to follow the same standards as anyone else. Didn't change that he dared to speak to a princess without gratitude in his voice. Those were the rules. If this were her native country, Inuyasha would have been immediately tried for treason.

Yet he was giving her what she wanted, and he didn't even realize it.

Lady. Not princess. Much better, and--

...

He did not just say that. Typical. Just when a woman thinks someone's finally going to give her the casual nature she so longs for, he has to assume ulterior motives because of her status. Oh, she'd maintain her diction. But Zelda was not going to be talked down to, and that had nothing to do with her being a princess. It had to do with her being a person. This is the straw that broke the proverbial camel's back.

"Very well, Inuyasha." If one thought she didn't know Japanese hierarchy, they were wrong. To speak his first name was an insult, and if he had a problem with that, he could deal with it. She's done with this. "My intentions were to ask for meaning behind your music. My name is Zelda, and you will not tell me what I am thinking before I speak. This is strictly business, affairs of which have nothing to do with a formal title."

For as kind as she could sound, Zelda could be equally frigid.

"However, I do not believe I require your assistance anymore. You have already told me what I need to know. If that is what you believe, if you are to look at someone and decide who they are by a formality they were born into. Clearly there is no passion behind your musical ability. No feeling. It must be I, who misunderstood."

And for just a moment, she broke that perfect diction.

A proper warning, a way to show where he stood on the entire matter and she instead called him a typical man. Better than "typical half breed" he guessed, but that didn't stop the low rumbling growl from vibrating in his throat. Making assumptions about him though, whatever, its fine. It happened all the time.

Assumptions on his music though.. Assumptions on the music he and Kagome had created together at that.. That he couldn't just let slide.

"Tch.. Whatever then, princess!" he snarled back at her, gold eyes narrowed at her. "I guess it is typical of me ta warn people not ta try ta use me. Not like it happens every damn day. I doubt yer mind is open enough ta understand my muse and the meaning anyway."

He'd noticed before when she had seemed to be more open in her expressions. He'd also noticed when she closed off on him and knew that now she used his name and insults to attempt to hurt him in a way he guessed he'd hurt her in some way. He wanted no part in such toxicity other than to fire it right back at her though and give her a taste of it.

Between the other rich people around here and governing bodies, trying to use him to make themselves seem more thoughtful and the like. Then his own brother looking down on him because he was a hanyou in the first place. Not to mention the paparazzi parking their asses outside this very establishment and just outside the gate of his house. Sure, he had no reason to be defensive and set his boundary at the beginning.

"I'd say its a pleasure, but it ain't. Get off yer damn high pedestal before talkin' ta us common folk next time," he added, crushing his now empty cup in his hand before turning to leave. "Typical princess," he added, wanting to get in one more barbed jab back at her. Two could play the game of hurt.

"...Mkay."

2025? Stupid clothes. And his name? Someone's playing a stupid trick.

Sniff sniff.

A darkened expression. No regard for personal space, he's sniffing directly at this other 'Inuyasha'. Nose in the other man's face. Now he knew it for sure, something was wrong here. He knew that scent. He also did not know that scent. No time is wasted, because he wants answers, and he wants them now. He grabbed the other by the fabric covering his chest, and pulled him close.

"What the hell are you? You have a distinct scent. But the energy you're givin' off? All too familiar. So ya better start talkin', 'cause I ain't the most patient guy when it comes ta someone usin' any kinda illusion shit."

Naraku already tried that once. He wasn't stupid then, and he wasn't stupid now. That dumbass thought he could actually pit him and Kagome against each other. Actually thought that the love they had for each other could be so easily broken. Totally fell for it, too, when she 'sealed' him to the same tree they're both under right now. The laughter they shared when she unsealed him the following day.

When they decided to put an end to him for what he'd tried to do.

Roughly throwing the other against the tree, a few steps are taken back, a clawed hand on the hilt of his blade. Not even a fellow hanyou could be excused for trying this kind of trick. The only thing he couldn't understand, this man's energy. Not even the greatest demon's illusion could mimic someone else's unique energy. What appeared as anger. Aggression. It was to hide his fear, his lack of understanding.

He didn't have the chance to ask. His shirt was suddenly roughly grabbed and he found himself slammed against the tree. It caused a small, dull ache that probably would have smarted a hell of a lot more if he wasn't a hanyou himself. But his own irritation was growing by the second as the other man accused him of being some kind of trickster.

"Would you get yer damn claws offa me?" he growled back, finally getting past his surprise to raise his hands and attempt to push him away from him. This other Inuyasha - possibly his ancestor - was stronger than him to have been able to move him at all. But he'd have to be to live back in the warring age wouldn't he?

"Do ya think I have all the answers ya dumb mutt? I'm just as clueless as you are about how yer here!"

It was a good thing that Kagome wasn't here. If she saw what was happening, she'd have probably ran inside and grabbed her mace or had grandpa come out with his sutras or something. Not that those useless pieces of paper would do much. But that old geezer was incredibly loud at times and could easily give him a splitting headache. And who needed that on top of.. Well whatever the hell this was!

As for this guy, he wasn't sure if he even wanted to claim him as his ancestor if he was this rash and dumb. Surely he didn't come from him from further back in his bloodline did he? But like he'd thought before, he could have been looking at his twin or at a mirror. Everything down to the voice, scent, and youki were alike.

"That will not be necessary."

It was a kind offer, but the last thing she wanted. Not that she'd expect anyone to understand. For a woman of her status, she was all too accustomed to everyone trying to do everything for her. From how she was raised, to adulthood, even since she'd come to this country. It was an unspoken frustration she kept to herself, in favor of kindly turning such a thing down in return.

Her reason for turning down his offer to pay had nothing to do with her wealth, or status. It was being treated this way since birth. Both men and women alike, always so quick to make such offers. Whether it was because she was a woman, whether it was because of her status. Possibly both. Zelda was tired of it, inward feelings she couldn't even express. What would it say about her parents, if she were to speak such things?

Unlike herself, her parents took tradition very seriously. Zelda honored tradition in nothing more than wearing her dress, and the ridiculous pounds of golden jewelry. But she's tired of others offering to do things for her.

She can do them for herself.

Nobody ever understands the exhaustion that comes with assumptions that due to her status. Due to her Goddess blood. Due to her appearance. No one thinks she can't do things for herself.

Not even her own parents. They had already been against her decision to leave. Even more against her decision that she'd be a psychiatrist, rather than a figurehead for her country. Those who said beauty came without intelligence, it couldn't be greater a mistake. Stunning, almost ethereal in beauty. Yet Zelda's intelligence, her wisdom, that far exceeded even that.

"I will keep things brief."

For his sake, mostly. They'll talk just as much about him if he's seen in this sort of situation. She can already hear the rumors. No need to read anything, total strangers ask her every day.

Who's your boyfriend? Why would you hang out with someone who dresses like that? Are you really going to talk to someone lower than your status?

The first of which was always the assumption in any situation with a male. God forbid she so much as greet a man without the immediate assumption there be instant romantic attraction. Didn't matter the age, she's heard such assumptions about her own professor. The rumors surrounding her association with him were enough. The idea a princess could excel in studies with her mind.

Right now, maintain flawless posture. Proper diction, a kind tone of voice. When others refused to see you as a person, even refused to speak your name, rather than a title. Maybe you wanted to show what you were never given yourself.

"May I ask your name? I would like to address you properly."

Gentle as her expression was, there would always be a factor true to it.

As it was, he turned so he was mostly hidden from their view finders by other patrons there in the cafe after he'd placed his order and received it. He merely shrugged when she declined his offer to buy her a drink as well. Her loss, the drinks here were made from fresh stuff, not that gross imitation syrup most other places had. And each drink was inspired from all over the world, even as far as France and Italy the owners said.

A person could tell the difference from the first taste, and now was no exception as he sipped his drink and the taste washed over his palette. He still had no idea what she wanted with him, but if she thought she was going to use him as some political pawn, he wouldn't be shy about shutting that down on the spot. Even if his mother whacked him over the head for his rudeness, he'd make sure his point was made.

For right now though, he didn't know what her angle was and so he kept his suspicions to himself. Though his brows arched as she asked for his name.

"Yer the one that came ta, me. Shouldn't ya introduce yerself first?" he replied, probably a bit more gruff than he needed to be. Honestly, that was probably the angst of watching and changing his position so he wasn't seen by cameras than anything else. "Tch, whatever. Name's Taisho Inuyasha. Son of Taisho Toga and Izayoi, younger brother of Taisho Sesshoumaru. Blah, blah, blah," he huffed as he leaned on the counter behind him.

All of which had caught the attention of a few other patrons near enough to hear him. Until he glared at them that is and if they'd had a thought before then to come over and bother him, that inkling was wiped away. But between the two of them, he didn't know if those gossip hungry people were there for him or for her, but he didn't want to be gawked at more than he already was.

She had told him this wouldn't take long, but there were long moments of silence already between them. Probably getting lost in thought same as he was, but she had been the one to come to him like he'd thought before.

If this is some kind of waking dream, he's pretty sure whatever deity that exists got it wrong.

Everything he knew was gone, that's fine if this is just a physical manifestation of a memory. Or if he fell asleep and it wasn't a physical manifestation. If he was hyper aware of his own subconscious. But a hyper awareness of his own self conscious wouldn't be seeing himself in what must be the ugliest attire he's ever come across.

He's trying not to. Trying so hard. But it doesn't work, he's a failure. He's laughing his ass off at what he's seeing.

"What the hell are you wearing?"

It's not every night you're hyper aware of your subconscious. Of a dream, of what wasn't reality. It meant he could bend it, if he wanted to. Not who he was hoping to see in a dream where he actually had awareness. Doesn't mean he can't enjoy how stupid he looked in whatever the hell that was. Maybe he can will something else, but first he's going to have to stop laughing at the mirror image of himself.

"So why didn'tcha put y'er hair up and everything, too? Come on, ya gotta go with the whole look, yeah? Let's make that hair shorter!"

Like any self aware dream, he can bend reality. So he does.

Any second now.

...Any second now.

...His hair isn't getting shorter. His clothes aren't changing. Still as stupid looking as ever. Something is amiss here. This self aware dream is not working correctly. He'll have to wake up, so he gives a rough pinch to his own ears.

"--Come on Inuyasha. Wake the hell up already."

Maybe that was it? The name of the band, Beautiful Poison had raised a lot of eyebrows even from their online fans, all of them asking for the meaning behind it. The poisonous self doubt and other such pains that led to music as an outlet. The creativity of music is a beauty all its own as was the bond forged through it. Thus the name.

He said all of this, though he doubted he could even be heard over the other man's obnoxious laughter. Shouldn't he be the one laughing? Who wears kimono anymore aside from festivals and tea houses? Or shrines..

Well they were at a shrine now, had Grandpa Higurashi hired someone new or something? But why someone who could be his twin? ..No, it couldn't be that. He'd have smelled him on the grounds before now if that was the case. And he'd seemed to appear in that flash of light before too.

Now from what he was hearing and seeing, it appeared as if this stranger thought he was dreaming. That and they seemed to share a name. That was when a near impossible thought cleared its way through his mind.

Was this..? Could he be..?

...My ancestor..?

The one that he and Kagome had discovered a month or so before she discovered college..

"Yer not dreamin'," he answered as he straightened and let out a sigh. "My name is also Inuyasha. Yer in the year 2025," he added, thinking it necessary to share this information.

Wouldn't have been her first choice of names, but it was a study in music theory. Tempo. Pitch. Oscillation. A name didn't have any indication on a performance. An attempt to avoid drawing attention, she at the back wall, piercing blue eyes watching every single performer. Studying. Memorizing every note. If you didn't partake in the consumption of every and any genre, how would you excel? Music was nothing but hobby, but when Zelda did anything, every part of her was in it.

Music was expression, and expression was a beautiful thing. Expression drew out curiosity. Sometimes song could convey emotions the spoken word could not.

There would be greater understanding if she questioning the meaning behind these notes. These oscillations. If you could put someone's meaning into words...

It'd make for a flawless essay. Interesting as it was to learn, there were greater things to focus on. Everyone always told her she was too young. That a woman of her age should be enjoying young adulthood, rather than such deep focus on a university. But she came to this country for a reason. She came to learn, to study. Music theory was nothing but good marks, credits. However, it was a requirement that it be her focus for now.

Silence. Study, until all is finished.

Only then, do heels sound against the floor. Who to approach, that was the easy decision. He that had performed those notes. Movement is slow, steady. Graceful, beautiful. That was what she was born to be. To learn, it was a silent act of rebellion. A show that a princess was more than just an object of beauty. Such old fashioned thoughts, she'd never accept them.

That was why she'd left, instead of attending studies in her native country.

"Please, do forgive any intrusion."

All things aside, she did still have to represent her country. She didn't resent her birthright. Merely chose not to accept it as her life's existence. The country would be fine in the hands of her parents. Such is why she holds out the side of her dress, a proper bow as form of introduction.

He had to do something while Kagome was away at college so he didn't drive himself crazy with constantly watching his phone and waiting on a text or a call. So he took small gigs like this one more for the sake of keeping himself busy and to give him a reason to keep playing music. Just because she wasn't here, it didn't mean that he had to stop playing. In fact, she'd probably get angry at him if he did.

So he came here to this relatively new cafe tonight to play for the patrons who mostly more interested in their drinks and pastries. Well that and the cozy atmosphere not to mention the owners that seemed to have a fan club of their own. Really, two gay men owning and operating a business wasn't that unheard of was it? Or was it their personalities that kept bringing people into The Daily Grind cafe?

They were pretty chill guys though he had to admit. The dark haired guy was the more social one he noticed. While the blond seemed to be a bit more reserved, but still friendly enough. He couldn't remember their names right off, but he figured he would soon if he played for them often enough.

Right now though, he couldn't be bothered as he played for their customers, keeping his eyes shut through most so he could feel the music and lyrics. That and remember what had inspired them to begin with.

Beneath his hat, his ears pressed against his head with the applause her received for each one though. He was glad that they enjoyed the music, but his ears were still sensitive to such noises. Especially when a regular at the cafe squealed when the owners took a break to dance with each other to one of the songs.

His turn was up before too much longer and over the clapping of the crowd, he thanked them before turning to return his guitar to its case. It was as he was doing so that he saw the blond woman coming toward him from his peripherals and paused to glance her way.

Who didn't know her? She was on several tabloids, her personal business aired out to the public regularly and probably greatly exaggerated at that for the stories to sell. He never bothered to pick any of them up and read them, it was none of his business. Besides, he knew the aggravation of paparazzi all too well.

Even so, he frowned slightly after fastening his instrument in its case as she spoke to him.

It's pretty.

Memories vivid, no matter how many years pass. Memories that pierced a man's very soul. Love unyielding, a love that grew every day, even though the woman was gone from physical form. The spirit world was all he had left to believe in. All he had left to hope for. A spirit world he may never even see for himself, given what he is. It's okay. It's always okay.

When you've fallen for someone, that's a love that never goes away. For some, it may scar over. But to this day. All these years. He felt it from her. Was it his imagination? Wishful thinking? Did it matter? It kept him going, just as the loved ones he'd made in the process of their journey.

Fireflies. Summer fireflies, lighting up the air just as the stars twinkled in the sky above. She may be gone physically, yet it still feels as though Kagome is sitting right next to him. Just as all the summers they had spent together, right here, beneath this tree. That feeling alone was enough that he could smile. Embrace the warmth of a summer night, the view of flowers swaying in the breeze. The soft glow, off, and on. Fireflies needed clean water to thrive.

Clean water that only brought back more fond memories. Not like he needed to be near it to smell the lake. Autumn nights spent gazing into the reflection of the moon. The sight of her idly trailing the water's surface with her finger. Kagome had always looked at the world with such a magical eye, one that had nothing to do with her being a priestess.

Deep breath, sweet summer air. Life is peaceful now, and not empty. Friends, loved ones, memories that warmed even the coldest nights. A life of peace wasn't bad.

TH-THUMP

His heart. He felt his heart pound in his ears just then. What brought that on?

Unnatural light, faint, in his frontal view. Eyebrows furrowing, golden eyes shift upwards. The tree. It's coming from the tree, and it's warm. Standing to his feet, a moment of observation. A strong gust blew, sending his silver hair wildly off to the side. Was this his memory's imagination too? Probably. It's just some memory playing in front of his eyes.

But it's warm. Memory or not, he wanted to feel it. Inuyasha pressed his palm to the light. Warmth. More than warmth. A light more vivid than it had been moments ago. A sensation he can't put into words running through his mind, his chest. The warmth of memories, the rest of the world vanished from him. And then, the light was gone. Well... it was nice to feel. Even if it was just a memory.

A slow turn, eyes closed. But when he opened them to watch the fireflies, there was something much more obvious.

...Where has the forest gone?

It didn't help that he had a reclusive reputation and so was a hot topic of rumors and the like. Add to it he was somewhat famous himself now from he and Kagome sharing their music online and it was bound to happen.

At times like these, he always sought out the comfort of his personal sanctuary. Ironic really that a half demon's sanctuary was on shrine grounds. But that place always called to something deep in his heart and soul. The tree on those grounds yes, but also the beautiful young woman whom his heart longed for more and more by the day.

She was off in college now, their phone calls and texts becoming more and more rare as her life grew busier with classes and tests. He had gone to visit her a few times, but even then, their time was taken up by those things.

Still, he treasured every minute of that time he spent with her, but he couldn't just stay there on campus with her. No matter how much he wished he could. It wouldn't be long before she came home for break though, not soon enough for his taste, but he knew she'd be back all the same.

Until she did though, he contented himself with going back to her family's shrine and sitting beneath the tree as he had done countless times. He just sat there for a while, letting himself reminisce about times they'd sat there together talking and joking with one another. When they shared snacks as they waited on her mother to call them in for dinner. All while they talked about the song they were working on. Her voice, soft and beautiful, singing out the tune with his guitar accompaniment was something he missed as well.

He brought along his guitar again that day too as the sun set and gave way to night. He sat with his eyes shut as he strummed out a few chords. A slight frown marred his brow though as he sat, his ears flicking as a gust of wind picked up and there was a prickle of awareness on his skin. That feeling had his eyes cracking open and searching for where it was coming from. Though he got his answer when he noticed a glow on the tree that shouldn't be there.

His frown deepened as he set his guitar aside and stood to get a closer look. Sure enough, it was coming from the tree itself and not a spotlight or anything and he found himself reaching out to touch it. Only to gasp and his eyes grow wider as it almost felt as if he was touching another person's hand.

No sooner did he jerk his hand back before there was a soft flash on the other side of the tree and he moved to peek around it. And how could he have ever been prepared for what he saw? The man he saw looked like his twin save for the kimono he wore. But there was no doubt, aside from the clothes he could have been looking in the mirror.

Oddly, he could sense two wrathful auras nearby, not unlike a youkai's. One glance above Inuyasha's head confirmed that he should keep his mouth shut if he valued his well being. Of course, his antics shouldn't be surprising by now, but he still felt a dash of regret as his eyes followed behind Sango until she was out of sight.

And the group called him an idiot? At least he didn't go chasing every woman in existence and then act as he was the one wronged when admonished for it. Either way, the monk was getting no more sympathy from him than he normally would.